Facing criticism from the Nationalist Party that it is no longer to be considered as the Workers’ Party, the Labour Party today said it remains the party that is closely associated with workers and the party that generates employment and opportunities.

Addressing a press conference as the PL gears up to celebrate Workers’ Day, Planning Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi and MP Alex Muscat said economic growth is not the destination, but the weapon through which Malta could achieve more.

On 1 May, we have to send a message against anyone who is threatening all this, in the knowledge that there are solid foundations on which to build, Zrinzo Azzopardi said.

The Labour government has been taking decisions to strengthen the people’s purchasing power for years. In the past, parents used to pay to have their children transported to school and send them to child care; now both services are free. SEC and MATSEC examinations were also free of charge, the minister added.

Muscat said that under the Robert Abela administration, every three days seven persons who used to depend on social security no longer require such assistance. Economic independence is an important component of a person’s dignity, and the PL will continue to strive in this direction.